Roofing answer library
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22 answers
Leaks & repairs
Diagnosing leaks, emergency steps, repair choices and when patching stops making sense.
Why does my roof only leak when rain is blowing sideways?Can a roof leak without any missing tiles?How do I find where a roof leak is coming from?Is a small roof leak an emergency?Can a roofer repair a roof while it is raining?How many times can a roof be patched before it needs replacing?Why does my roof leak hours after the rain has stopped?Why has my roof leak appeared in a different place?Can a blocked gutter cause a leak inside the house?Why is water coming in around my chimney?Can condensation look like a roof leak?What counts as a temporary roof repair?Will roofing sealant permanently stop a leak?Why does my bay-window roof keep leaking?Can a roof be repaired without scaffolding?Who repairs the ceiling and decoration after a roof leak?Who is responsible when a shared roof leaks?Why does my dormer keep leaking?Why is rainwater appearing near the party wall?Can a leaking roof cause dry rot?Why does my roof creak when it is windy?Can a roof leak cause electrical faults?
22 answers
New roofs
Replacement timing, specifications, surveys, programmes and what a complete quotation should include.
How do I know if I need a completely new roof?How long does a new roof normally take?Can I stay in my house while the roof is replaced?What should a proper new-roof quotation include?Do I need Building Regulations approval for a new roof?Should all old roof timbers be replaced during a reroof?What happens on the first day of a reroof?Will my house be watertight every night during a reroof?Should a new roof include new leadwork?Can old slates be reused during a reroof?Does a new roof add value to a house?Should I replace gutters and fascias while having a new roof?What hidden costs can arise during a reroof?Can a new roof be replaced during winter?Do solar panels need removing before a reroof?How should I choose the colour of a new roof?Should I replace an old roof before installing solar panels?What is roof spread and how serious is it?Can rotten rafters be repaired without replacing the whole roof structure?What is the difference between rafters and roof trusses?Can I convert a pitched roof into a flat roof?What should a self-builder specify for a new roof?
22 answers
Flat roofs
Resitrix SKW, felt, warm-roof construction, falls, outlets, ponding and rooflights.
What is the best flat-roof system for a house?What is Resitrix SKW roofing?Is modern felt roofing still a good option?Is standing water on a flat roof normal?Is a warm flat roof better than a cold flat roof?Can a new flat roof be installed over the old one?How much fall should a flat roof have?Why do seams fail on a flat roof?Can I walk on my flat roof?Why are bubbles or blisters appearing on my flat roof?Does a flat roof need an emergency overflow?Can solar panels be installed on a flat roof?How long does replacing a domestic flat roof take?What type of deck is used beneath flat roofing?Can Resitrix SKW be installed over insulation?Why does the room beneath my flat roof feel cold?Can an asbestos-cement garage roof be overclad?Is an asbestos-cement garage roof dangerous?Can an existing flat roof become a roof terrace?What is a green roof and can I add one?How often should a commercial flat roof be inspected?Can a warehouse roof be repaired while the business stays open?
22 answers
Costs & quotations
What drives price, how to compare quotations, deposits, variations and avoiding false economies.
How much does a new roof cost in the North East?Why are two roofing quotations thousands of pounds apart?Should I pay a roofer a deposit?What does ‘provisional sum’ mean in a roofing quotation?Is the cheapest roofing quotation ever the best choice?How should extra roofing work be agreed?How much does scaffolding add to a roofing job?Is VAT included in a roofing quotation?Why does roof pitch affect the price?Why can a hipped roof cost more than a simple roof?Should a roofing quote split labour and materials?How long is a roofing quotation valid for?Can I negotiate a roofing quotation?What is retention in a roofing contract?Do roofers charge for surveys and quotations?How should I budget for hidden timber repairs?What is a planned roof-maintenance contract?How should a managing agent compare roofing tenders?What is a schedule of rates for roofing work?Do I always need three roofing quotations?How much contingency should I allow for a reroof?Is financing a roof more expensive than paying cash?
22 answers
Tiles, slates & materials
Clay, concrete, natural slate, man-made slate, underlays, battens and compatibility.
Is natural slate better than man-made slate?Are clay roof tiles better than concrete tiles?Can new roof tiles be fitted onto the old battens?What does roofing underlay actually do?Why do roof tiles crack?Can I change my roof from tiles to slate?What is the minimum pitch for roof tiles?Why do roof slates slip?Can mismatched roof tiles cause leaks?What are roofing battens and why do they matter?What does headlap mean on roof tiles and slates?Are reclaimed roof tiles worth using?What is fibre-cement slate?Why do concrete roof tiles lose colour?Do all roof tiles need mechanical fixings?Can natural and man-made slates be mixed on one roof?Can solar panels damage roof tiles?Can solar panels be fitted to a natural-slate roof?How is roofing work handled on a listed building?What are Westmorland green slates?Are spray-on roof coatings worth the money?Can roof tiles be painted safely?
22 answers
Insulation & ventilation
Condensation, warm and cold roofs, U-values, ventilation paths and Building Regulations.
Why is my loft wet with condensation?Does a breathable roofing membrane still need ventilation?How much roof insulation do I need?Can too much loft insulation cause damp?What is TLX Gold roofing insulation?Why is my ceiling still cold after a new roof?What is a roof U-value?Should roof insulation sit at ceiling level or rafter level?What is a vapour-control layer in a roof?Should loft vents stay open during winter?Why is mould growing on my loft timbers?Can recessed downlights contribute to loft condensation?Does a loft hatch need to be insulated and sealed?Can wet roof insulation simply be left to dry?What is thermal bridging at roof eaves?Do I still need ventilation when using TLX Gold?Why is my roof window leaking?Does installing a roof window weaken the roof?Can I install a sun tunnel through my roof?Why does condensation form on my roof window?Does MVHR remove the need for roof ventilation?Can spray-foam insulation cause roof-timber decay?
22 answers
Chimneys, leadwork & roofline
Flashings, valleys, pointing, gutters, fascias, soffits, dry ridge and dry verge.
Why does lead flashing crack or split?Does my chimney need repointing or rebuilding?What is a dry-ridge system?What is dry verge and is it worth fitting?Why do my gutters overflow only in heavy rain?Should old timber fascias be capped or fully replaced?Why is the cement around my chimney pots cracked?Can an unused chimney stack be removed?Should a disused chimney be ventilated?What do Code 4 and Code 5 lead mean?Why do dry-verge units keep blowing off?Why are my ridge tiles loose?Do soffits need ventilation?Why do my gutter joints keep leaking?Will larger gutters stop rainwater overflowing?What is a lead valley and why does it fail?Can my neighbour refuse access for roofing scaffolding?Can roofers work safely above a conservatory?Does roofing work require a Party Wall notice?Who is responsible for a shared chimney stack?Can birds nesting beneath roof tiles cause damage?How can I stop birds entering through the eaves?
22 answers
Guarantees & compliance
Workmanship cover, manufacturer warranties, Building Control, CompetentRoofer and handover documents.
What should a roofing workmanship guarantee cover?Is a 20-year roofing guarantee automatically better?What is an insurance-backed roofing guarantee?What is CompetentRoofer and why does it matter?What documents should I receive when a new roof is finished?Does a roofing guarantee transfer when the house is sold?When does a roofing quotation become a contract?What does a roofing material warranty cover?What can invalidate a roof guarantee?Does Building Control inspect every stage of a new roof?What is a Building Regulations completion certificate for roofing?Do I need planning permission to change roof tiles?Does fitting a roof window require Building Regulations approval?What insurance should I check before appointing a roofer?What does competent-person self-certification mean for a roof?How long should I keep roofing paperwork?What fire-safety rules apply to roof coverings?What is a hot-works permit for roofing?Does commercial roofing need a construction phase plan?What is a roofing operation and maintenance manual?Should a roofing contractor provide risk assessments?Can later solar-panel work affect a roof guarantee?
22 answers
Storms, insurance & emergencies
Making safe, documenting damage, insurance claims and deciding what needs urgent attention.
What should I do immediately after storm damage?Will home insurance pay for a new roof?Can a roofer make the roof safe before the insurer approves the claim?Is one loose roof tile dangerous?What should I do if a ceiling is bulging with water?How can I document roof storm damage for an insurer?At what wind speed can a roof be damaged?What should I do if a roof tile falls into the street?Can I put a tarpaulin over a leaking roof myself?What should I do if water is coming through a light fitting?Will home insurance cover temporary roof repairs?Should I call my insurer or a roofer first after damage?Can hail damage roof tiles or flat roofing?What does emergency ‘make safe’ roofing work include?Can storm damage occur without obvious missing tiles?How quickly should storm damage be repaired?What should I do if asbestos-cement roof sheets break?Can heavy snow damage a flat roof?What should I do if a tree falls onto my roof?How should a business respond to a serious roof leak?Who should I contact about a dangerous chimney stack?Can lightning damage a roof without starting a fire?
22 answers
Maintenance & buying a home
Roof surveys, warning signs, maintenance schedules and questions to ask before purchase.
How often should I have my roof inspected?What roof problems should I look for when buying a house?How old is too old for a roof?Should moss be removed from roof tiles?Can I pressure-wash roof tiles?What roofing documents should a house seller provide?When is the best time of year to inspect a roof?What roof maintenance can a homeowner safely do?Can nearby trees damage a roof?How often should gutters be cleaned?What might a basic roof survey fail to reveal?Should I get a specialist roof survey before buying a house?Can a roof survey help renegotiate a house purchase?How can I tell whether a roof was genuinely replaced recently?Is spray-foam roof insulation a problem when buying a house?What roof maintenance should landlords budget for?Who is responsible for roof repairs in a rented house?What should a landlord's roof inspection include?Should a block manager have a planned roof-maintenance programme?Can spray-foam roof insulation affect a mortgage?What is included in a commercial roof-condition survey?How should roof replacement be planned through a service charge?